tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120Sun, 13 Nov 2016 13:38:17 +0000rural electrificationBiomass EnergyEnergy BenefitsEnergy PovertyFuelwoodImproved stovesFinancing and SubsidiesInterfuel SubstitutionReviews SeriesInitial CostsDoug BarnesIndoor Air PollutionSurvey DesignKeroseneConnection CostsElectricity AccessGenderLPGRenewable EnergySolar Home SystemsClimateEmbedded VideoAfricaBookEnergy for Development and Poverty Reductionhttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/noreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)Blogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-6161548245342688447Wed, 11 Feb 2015 03:25:00 +00002016-01-12T15:14:48.939-05:00Doug BarnesElectricity AccessEnergy BenefitsEnergy PovertyKerosenerural electrificationSurvey DesignThe Household Benefits of Lighting with Electricity: Consumer Surplus Explained
Figure 1 Consumer Surplus for Lighting
By Doug Barnes
The concept of consumer surplus in measuring the benefits of rural electrification continues to be
misunderstood by many people. In this posting, I try to address some of those misperceptions. The main point is that consumer surplus is really a shortcut way to measure social and economic benefits. People purchase kerosene to use in http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2015/02/the-household-benefits-of-lighting-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-6977338898200223936Fri, 09 Jan 2015 03:27:00 +00002016-01-12T15:14:17.839-05:00Connection CostsDoug BarnesElectricity AccessEnergy Povertyrural electrificationRural Electricity Adoption in India: What's Standing in the Way?
By Doug Barnes
For several years I have been involved in a project to understand why the electricity connection rates in India are not higher than they are. This resulted in a report probing various reason that are holding back India for achieving universal access, despite spending quite a bit of money on the problem. For details, see the report Power for All: Electricity Access Challenge in http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2015/01/rural-electricity-adoption-in-india.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-8176408577159896949Mon, 08 Dec 2014 16:25:00 +00002016-01-11T22:58:25.601-05:00BookDoug BarnesElectricity AccessEnergy BenefitsEnergy PovertyFinancing and Subsidiesrural electrificationSurvey DesignElectric Power for Rural Growth, 2nd Edition.
Click Image
for Amazon "Look Inside"
I recently published a new book on the impact of rural electrification in developing countries. Actually it is a revision of an old book. This is the second edition of my first book Electric Power for Rural Growth, published in 1988 based on research during my first job at Resources for the Future. At the time, international donors were having http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2014/12/electric-power-for-rural-growth-2nd.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-2157476697354423568Sun, 02 Nov 2014 19:26:00 +00002016-01-12T15:15:03.415-05:00Doug BarnesElectricity AccessEnergy Povertyrural electrificationTwo Billion People Gain Electricity Access: 1970-2010 By Doug Barnes
﻿
Rural Energy
and Development,
Published 1996
In 1996 I wrote "It is hard not to be daunted by the
scale of providing energy services to the world's rural population. There are
nearly two billion people without access to modern forms of energy such as
electricity or oil. This book describes the plight of these two billion. Its
message, however, is that there are now many http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2014/11/rural-electrification-by-numbers-1970_2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-1998837692762493270Mon, 26 May 2014 01:10:00 +00002016-01-12T15:16:45.917-05:00Biomass EnergyDoug BarnesFuelwoodImproved stovesIndoor Air PollutionLPGFrom Traditional to Modern Stoves: A Chronology of Development
﻿
﻿﻿By Doug Barnes
India Traditional Stove: Credit C. Carnemark
Recently
I participated in a very interesting workshop at Yale University. The workshop
was called The Adoption Gap: Design, Development and Diﬀusion of Household
Energy Technologies. The focus of the
conference was to examine why improved biomass cooking stoves have not achieved
widespread adoption even after over 25 years http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2014/05/from-traditional-to-modern-stoves_25.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-5789869948932232703Thu, 12 Dec 2013 19:04:00 +00002016-01-12T15:16:04.676-05:00AfricaConnection CostsFinancing and SubsidiesInitial Costsrural electrificationWhat Drives Electricity Adoption? A Review of Connection Charges in Sub-Saharan AfricaBy Doug Barnes
Household Electricity Meter
Picture Credit: Douglas Barnes
Today many development agencies focus on the price and
physical presence of access to electricity as being the main issue for lack of
electricity in developing countries.
They may want to alter their thinking.
This is not to say that physical access and the price of electricity are
not important, for clearly they arehttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2013/12/what-drives-electricity-adoption-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-4987710913474470809Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:36:00 +00002016-01-12T15:15:16.465-05:00Biomass EnergyEnergy PovertyFuelwoodInterfuel Substitutionrural electrificationEnergy Poverty and Income Poverty: How Do They Differ?
by Doug Barnes,
Shahid Khandker and Hussain Samad
There
is a continuing discussion over what constitutes energy poverty with several
approaches being used to define it. But as
yet, no consensus has emerged for measuring and monitoring energy poverty and explaining
why and how it differs from income poverty.
After all, income poverty is a standard measure, so if the two are
highly related it http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2013/06/energy-poverty-and-income-poverty-how.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-8151524010147241272Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:49:00 +00002016-01-11T22:59:08.415-05:00Biomass EnergyDoug BarnesEnergy PovertyFuelwoodRenewable EnergyReviews Seriesrural electrificationResurrection of ESMAP Knolwedge Exchange Series 2005-2009
Between 2005 and 2009 I was the technical editor of an ESMAP Knowledge
Exchange Series that involved the publication of four page summaries of current
energy issues. When I recently reviewed
these notes after four years, I was struck by both the quality of these four
page notes and the continuing relevance of the issues covered. Also, most of the authors of these notes have
20 to 30 years ofhttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2013/04/resurrection-of-esmap-knolwedge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-7880105823556591506Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:41:00 +00002011-11-23T19:48:30.224-05:00Biomass EnergyFuelwoodImproved stovesIndoor Air PollutionThe Basics of Wood Burning Stoves: A Case for Standards or Rating Systems?
Many people interested in better stoves know something about fire, smoke, health and new ideas. However, to explain these on a more fundamental level that is understood by all can be difficult. Therefore to explain the relationship between health and smoke, I turn to the late comedian Steve Allen who said that “Asthma doesn't seem to bother me any more unless I'm around cigars or dogs. The http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2011/02/better-stove-standards.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-6198344865280045101Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:03:00 +00002016-01-13T21:48:09.191-05:00Biomass EnergyEnergy PovertyFinancing and SubsidiesInterfuel SubstitutionRenewable EnergyReviews Seriesrural electrificationEnergy Services for the Poor: A Review of World Bank Lending
By Doug Barnes
A couple of years ago I completed this review of Modernizing Energy Services for the Poor: A World Bank Investment Review 2000-2008. This was followed by extensive reviews and then revisions. And this was followed by new revisions and fresh reviews and so on and so forth. I am happy to announce that this report is finally out and comments are welcome, but no more reviews http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2011/01/world-bank-investments.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-5012776459413585542Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:40:00 +00002016-01-13T21:47:47.013-05:00Biomass EnergyEnergy PovertyFinancing and SubsidiesReviews Seriesrural electrificationMuch Ado About Energy Poverty: A Look Behind the IEA Numbers
By Doug Barnes
The International Energy Association (IEA) has published a very nice special paper with the title Energy Poverty: How to Make Energy Access Universal. This report makes a substantial contribution to the work on energy poverty and provides the updated figures on electricity access and the use of fuels for cooking. The purpose of the report is to raise the issue of energy povertyhttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/12/iea-energy-poverty-report.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-1898097040123133505Sun, 26 Sep 2010 18:33:00 +00002016-01-12T15:16:24.064-05:00Energy BenefitsFinancing and Subsidiesrural electrificationSurvey DesignImpact of Rural Electrification in Peru: A "New" StudyBy Doug Barnes
A “new” report on rural electrification in Peru demonstrates the usefulness of conducting energy surveys to help with assessing policies for such programs. The usefulness stems from the ability to not only estimate the benefits of rural electrification, but to analyze if the subsidy policies are both effective and well targeted. There are many ways to structure subsidies forhttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/09/impact-of-rural-electrification-in-peru.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-7661737235297778652Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:32:00 +00002010-08-14T23:40:02.152-04:00Biomass EnergyImproved stovesReviews SeriesImproved Biomass Stoves For Bangladesh: Practice and PromiseBangladesh has a better record in addressing rural energy issues than most countries. They have a very aggressive rural electrification program that is based on rural electric distribution cooperatives. There is an award winning program for promoting solar home systems in offgrid regions. Yet as we documented in our report on Bangladesh’s Rural Energy Realities the country has not been as http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/08/bangladesh-improved-stoves-report.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-5188872458787983913Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:52:00 +00002010-07-21T22:33:34.984-04:00Energy PovertyRenewable EnergyWhere is Energy Poverty's REN21?There is quite a bit of work going into monitoring and evaluation in developing countries today. This is mainly due to the international donor’s need to document that their projects either work or do not work. However, the effort to track international energy demand--as opposed to energy production--has lagged behind these efforts.
Rural Electrification, Peru: Photo Laura Berman
For energy athttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/07/ren21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-5055101834601490598Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:12:00 +00002010-07-11T11:58:01.456-04:00Energy Benefitsrural electrificationSolar Home SystemsWhat is Rural Electrification: New Technologies and Old Definitions?
What is rural electrification? This definitioin appears simple but it is becoming more and more complicated as new devices and systems are developed that provide various levels of electricity service.
Grid Rural Electrification,Vietnam: Photo WB Hanoi
With the exception of flashlights, historically the main source of electricity has come from national or local grid systems. National grid http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/07/rural-electrification-definition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-3286621696127663126Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:53:00 +00002010-06-28T21:16:15.774-04:00Energy BenefitsEnergy PovertyInterfuel Substitutionrural electrificationEnergy Poverty Continued: A Narrative from Andrew BarnettI have received a rather long comment from Andrew Barnett from The Policy Practice and I thought it would be good to include his insights on energy poverty as a main post. The slightly revised text below is from Andrew Barnett.
=========
A Narrative on Energy Poverty by Andrew Barnett
Fuel Collection Bangalore, India Photo by D. Barnes
A new generation of people has recently become interestedhttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/06/energy-poverty-comment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-5845358314843506737Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:42:00 +00002010-07-09T15:57:28.807-04:00Biomass EnergyEnergy BenefitsEnergy PovertyThe Concept of Energy PovertyThe existence of energy poverty today is quite well accepted around the world. In fact alleviating energy poverty is a goal of many development organizations that deal with energy issues for developing countries.
Migrant Workers Cooking-India: Photo WB/Curt Carnemark
When it comes to defining energy poverty these organizations assume the position that many take in appreciating good art--"theyhttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/06/energy-poverty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-864237576783302106Sun, 30 May 2010 17:41:00 +00002010-07-09T16:00:11.168-04:00Energy BenefitsInitial CostsReviews Seriesrural electrificationSolar Home SystemsSmall Photovoltaic Lighting Systems: Niche or NotThe small technologies such as solar lanterns and small lights have always been a challenge to promote under development programs.
Solar Lantern in India
The wind up radio, which is now in the mainstream market for developed countries, was originally introduced as a possibility to improve communication in developing countries. Except for emergency situations such as Haiti, it is not a staple http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/05/micro-pv-lighting-systems.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-7524371588302489409Thu, 20 May 2010 02:32:00 +00002016-01-13T21:47:20.963-05:00Financing and SubsidiesInitial Costsrural electrificationRural Energy Subsidies: “It's Déjà Vu All Over Again”
By Doug Barnes
I have noticed that there has been quite a bit of material circulating recently on energy access and subsidies. The World Bank has prepared
Cooking with Ecofogon Stove, Nicaragua
Photo: PROLEÑA/Nicaragua
a background paper that will be published soon, and it is quite good. However, in reading this paper and other related material, I almost felt I had read it before—a kind http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/05/rural-energy-subsidies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-9152993550817208855Wed, 12 May 2010 21:28:00 +00002010-07-17T14:41:49.115-04:00Financing and SubsidiesGenderrural electrificationSolving Rural Electrification Problems: New Wine in Old Bottles?Strong institutions, favorable financing, clear service territories, encouraging productive uses, reducing drudgery for women, and local involvement. Do these all sound like familiar prescriptions for successful rural electrification?
Rural Electrification Administration Advertisement
Source: NRECA
In fact they encompass some of the eight steps to successful rural electrification highlightedhttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/05/rea-electric-cooperatives.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-40822566474275252Fri, 07 May 2010 18:54:00 +00002010-05-10T23:10:31.184-04:00Financing and SubsidiesImproved stovesSolar Home SystemsPromoting Solar Home Systems and Improved Biomass Stoves: A Comparison
Solar PV Adoption by Herders, Qinghai, China
Photo by China REDP Team
Over the past 15 years strategies for solar home system promotion have moved from a niche activity to the mainstream. Recently I have been thinking that there are quite a few similarities in the obstacles that were faced by solar homes system in the early years and those confronting the new improved biomass stoves today. I http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/05/pv-and-improved-stoves.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-6307777486895754522Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:15:00 +00002010-05-18T22:44:07.932-04:00Financing and Subsidiesrural electrificationRural Electrification in Developing Countries by the Numbers
Rural Electrification Lineman Bangladesh
Photo by WB Dhaka
The rural electrification figures in developing countries are pretty well known by now. There are now an estimated 1.5 billion people without electricity in developing countries, and 85 percent of them live in rural areas. However, I am going to give a brief history of the context in which these numbers were compiled. So this post will http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/04/rural-electrification-by-numbers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-2209422882743977944Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:12:00 +00002010-05-11T16:17:40.332-04:00Biomass EnergyFuelwoodGenderImproved stovesInitial CostsInterfuel SubstitutionKeroseneLPGSurvey DesignComparative Cooking Costs in Developing CountriesBy Douglas Barnes and Keith Openshaw
Kerosene Lamps and Stoves, Hyderabad, India by D. Barnes
Recently we have just reviewed many of programs for improved stoves in developing countries, and we were quite surprised to find that there were few analyses of comparative cooking costs. In the glory days of country energy assessments comparing the cost of cooking to enlighten energy policy makers washttp://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/04/comparative-cooking-cost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-3131866065149977465Sat, 17 Apr 2010 02:15:00 +00002010-05-18T22:47:35.766-04:00Biomass EnergyFuelwoodImproved stovesReviews SeriesImproved Stoves in Developing Countries by the Numbers
Nepal Improved Stove by Simon de Trey White WWF-UK
There are 3 billion people in developing countries that rely on solid fuels for almost all of their cooking. The question can be asked how many of these over 800 million households cook with an improved stove? The answer comes from a new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Like any http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/04/improved-stove-achievements.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336888113903823120.post-5989783806140766103Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:03:00 +00002011-02-06T22:49:04.954-05:00Biomass EnergyFuelwoodGenderImproved stovesIndoor Air PollutionInterfuel SubstitutionKeroseneReviews Seriesrural electrificationFacing Rural Energy Realities in Bangladesh
Adult Literacy Class, Bangladesh by Shehzad Noorani
People often forget that once Bangladesh was close to being the poorest country on the planet. Things certainly have changed in recent years. Bangladesh has always had policies for open trade that have helped the country become an exporter of manufactured goods, much of which has resulted from allowing investments by multinational firms. http://www.energyfordevelopment.com/2010/04/bangladesh-rural-energy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Douglas F. Barnes.....)2